Mathematical Analysis of the Formation of Molecule Sizes on a Spinning Disc Reactor

Abstract

AbstractA mathematical analysis of the behaviour of the molecular weights of addition polymers during a polymerisation process is described. Spinning disc reactor (SDR) technology has been shown to yield significant improvements in terms of polymerisation rates whilst retaining close control of the molecular weights and the molecular weight distributions[1,2]. However, understanding of the kinetics of the polymerisation process on a SDR remains unresolved. One of the questions to be addressed concerns the sizes of the macromolecules preferably formed during the polymerisation process. To address this question, a mathematical analysis of the observed trends in number and weight average molecular weight, monomer concentration and polydispersity during the polymerisation process on a SDR has been undertaken. To validate the results, experimental data obtained from benzoyl peroxide initiated free radical polymerisation of styrene on a SDR[2] was used. It was concluded that most of the monomers consumed are in the growth of smaller size chains.